King Team to restore area near WWII Monument

The Pen or Pencil King Team will work to restore the grounds near a World World II Monument at the Jefferson County Courthouse. The effort will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 26.

The team is from Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration. Participating with the King Team will be the the Rev. Anthony Howard, a retired veteran and president of the Consolidated St. Marion Baptist District Association Laymen Department, according to a news release.

The goal is restore the green and replant flowers around the 71-year-old monument located southwest of the courthouse. Other citizens, specifically veterans, are asked to join the project. The restoration project will be held Memorial Day weekend.

“Monday, May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, the nation will honor all men, women, blacks and whites who served, are presently serving and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation and to keep this country free and secure,” according to a PBICVR spokesman.

Jefferson County Judge Booker T. Clemons has given permission for the King Team to conduct the service learning project. They thank the judge for the opportunity to address the deteriorating conditions around the monument, the spokesman said.

“This monument, which was dedicated July 20, 1947, and now sits on the courthouse grounds, is the only WWII Monument in Arkansas erected to specifically honor Pine Bluff/Jefferson County African American soldiers,” according to the news release.